TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The University of Alabama has purchased approximately 10,000 flu shot injections, and nursing students and faculty are traversing campus to vaccinate students, faculty and staff for free.

While UA has provided flu shots for its community for several years, this is only the second year they are free of charge.

David Brown, nursing supervisor in the Student Health Center, said President Judy Bonner -- then serving in the provost position -- stepped up to find funding for the flu shots last year.

Brown said it's important for student to get the shot to protect themselves and the community.

"Students are the best at burning the candle at both ends -- in their scholastic studies and social life -- and their diet might not be the best," Brown said. "So this is certainly a good thing to do to help them from getting the flu and to help them for preventing the spread of the flu. The more people who don't come down with the flu, the harder it is for the flu to spread."

Last year, nursing student teams, who are always accompanied by a faculty instructor, canvassed the University to distribute the shots.

Brown said the College of Community Health Sciences looked at the data from 2012 -- how many shots were distributed at which locations -- and consolidated a bit, offering clinics at high-traffic locations around campus.

"The point of this is to break down barriers for people getting flu shots, making it easier and more accessible," Brown said. "You can make a thousand excuses to not get a shot today, but if they're being offered in the building you're working in, it's more convenient."

Brown said the campaign will start hitting on-campus residence halls on Friday, but if students haven't been able to get a shot on campus yet, injections are available to the Student Health Center on a walk-in basis.

Shots will also be offered at the Student Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Ferguson Plaza.